Tell me about Lovers Key / Cayo Costa / Charlie's Pass

Bobthebuilder · 12-04-2008, 06:37 PM

When our FMO board met Sunday evening to finalize our event schedule for early 2009, we all agreed on Saturday April 4th as a beach day where we will bring our lunches and have a cookout. (we need a few days yet to finalize some other aspects of our schedule before releasing the other dates and destinations, but are close ) On our short list of beach destinations to consider are Lovers Key, Cayo Costa and I am also curious if Charlie's Pass would be a suitable destination? Any other beaches to suggest?
By then the water should be warming up, and I thought it would be nice if we found a spot with pristine water to swim in. When I look at the attached arieal map of Lovers Key I wonder if it fits the pristine definition? Maybe it's not all that important to get in the water? We also want a destination where we can all pull our boats up on the beach together and not be crowded as is often the case at Keewaydin.
Tell us what you know and what beach you would like to go to on Saturday April 4th.
Bob

Bobthebuilder · 12-04-2008, 06:47 PM

Here is a link to a thread Frank posted when he went to Charlie's Pass once. Any pics you can post Frank? Is it suitable for a group of boats to slide up on the beach? Also I think you are quite familiar with Cayo Costa. Any info will help.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...rley-pass.html

Maritime_Eng · 12-04-2008, 07:51 PM

Here is my take on charlies pass.

If the wind is out of the east it can be an OK place to go. If the winds are out of the west or South you will be beatin to death. You can't pull up on the beach like you can at Keywadin. The bottom is OK but there are a few weeds and is a little shelly. Also you have to watch for Jelly Fish becasue I have been stung, So has my father, and a couple of my friends. And they really hurt.

On another note I have heard there is a beach/ cove on the north of Charlie's Pass that is suppose to be rally nice. i am still trying to find what where it is.

The Menace · 12-04-2008, 11:18 PM

New Pass is just south of Lover's Key and is a little known but popular spot to locals. Directly off the gulf, this area opens up into a very nice large bay area. Nice sandy beaches. It has a nice slope so as not to bottom out when pulling up on shore.

You can swim, walk the beach or fish. Even on a rough water day it is calm. Mostly pontoon boats etc. The area was made no wake last year which makes it nice and calm.

Just watch the markers going in but plenty of water once you are there.

wantingmore · 12-05-2008, 10:35 AM

Hey Bob. I'm gonna have to second what Dennis said about the wind at Charlie Pass. On a calm day, it would be an ideal spot, but I would hate for that to be the plan and then wind screw it up. We didn't normally beach there, just anchor in close. Same for Cayo Costa. You can beach on the back side, but it's not nearly as scenic.

We do go to Lovers Key regularly and beach right there in the pass, but there's usually a pretty good current going in or out so I'm not sure swimming would be an option. I've also had someone who runs the tour boat out there tell me I couldn't have a cooler on the beach. Don't know about grilling.

I haven't been to where Dennis is talking about, but it sounds ideal. I'd kill to have somewhere up here like Keywadin, but I haven't found that spot yet. You guys don't know how good you got it.

Bobthebuilder · 12-05-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Menace

New Pass is just south of Lover's Key and is a little known but popular spot to locals. Directly off the gulf, this area opens up into a very nice large bay area. Nice sandy beaches. It has a nice slope so as not to bottom out when pulling up on shore.

You can swim, walk the beach or fish. Even on a rough water day it is calm. Mostly pontoon boats etc. The area was made no wake last year which makes it nice and calm.

Just watch the markers going in but plenty of water once you are there.

Dennis, this sounds like it is worth checking out. I am down for three weeks from the 18th on. Maybe I can meet you up there and we go over and check it out. Sounds like what we could be looking for.
Thanks,
Bob

AppSysCons · 12-05-2008, 03:32 PM

Cayo Costa, north end, inside aka Pelican Bay. Nice protected cove. Bottom has lots of shells, and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. The sand is not the best. For those want to beach up, just 500 feet north is a beach area, with deep water right off it. (We go here often when it is blowing.)

Cayo Costa, northern 2/3 end. Very nice looking. Bottom is very sandy and clean, and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. (We avoid this are due to many bull shark sightings.)

Cayo Costa, southern 1/3 end. Very nice looking. Bottom is very sandy and clean, and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. Challenging to avoid the shoaling. (Only gone here once)

Cayo Costa, south end, inside. Nice protected area. Bottom is very sandy and clean, and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. The beach is small. (We have gone here when it is blowing.)

Hurricane Charley Pass, North Captive, outside. Bottom is very sandy and clean , and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. The beach is nice but barren. You can walk see across the island into Pine Island Sound. Can be rough when the wind is blowing. (We go here often.)

North Captive, north of Charley Pass, outside. Bottom is very sandy and clean , and you will need to anchor in shallow water and walk/wade to the beach. Secluded and very nice looking, really nice sandy beach. (We go here often, it’s the prettiest spot of the above).

What we do, is we plan for Charley Pass or North of Charley Pass, and if it is blowing when we arrive, we go back in Captiva Pass (a short trip) and go inside of Cayo Costa island.

AppSysCons · 12-05-2008, 03:33 PM

Cayo Costa pics

AppSysCons · 12-05-2008, 03:34 PM

Hurricane Charley Pass, pics

Bobthebuilder · 12-05-2008, 04:59 PM

Thanks, Frank.. That is good information for those of us that have never stopped there. Been by lots of times, but never took the time to stop.

One possibility may be as you say, plan on outside Charley Pass or north of and if conditions require a "Plan B", just head further north to the inside of Cayo Costa probably south end. Where was that first pic of Cayo Costa taken? Water looks nice there.

Ideally we could slide our boats up on a nice powder sand beach as we do at Keewaydin but it seems to be hard to find. I think I would like to avoid the Bull Sharks as well !!

LOL

At least with our beach day being in April we have some time to do our homework first and hopefully get it right.

Thanks again, Frank. Very helpful.

Bob